1. Which carpet is appropriate for my room(s)? Discuss the area you wish to carpet. Describe the amount of traffic, the uses - is there an outside entrance? - will there be food eaten in this room? - will it be channeled traffic such as a hallway or stairway? - will there be high traffic as in a play room or family room? What carpet is the most durable or practical (based on density and fiber)? Ask about the appropriate density (the amount of pile yarn and the closeness of the tufts) or quality of the carpet for the area. As an example, a nylon cut pile, blue carpet may come in several densities at different price points. You may need a very dense carpet for a family room, and a less dense carpet for a guest room. Ask about the appropriate fiber for your traffic areas? Fiber characteristics do vary for some uses. (Basic facts are in the consumer brochure published by the Carpet and Rug Institute).

2. Which carpet goes with my decor (casual or formal), and what color? Ask the retailer for his/her suggestions of options in a certain type of decor - casual, formal, southwestern, contemporary, colonial, etc. There will be several options of carpet styles for each type - plush, saxony, prints, textures, etc. (An excellent way to categorize your own "likes" is to collect magazine photos of decors you like.) Take an upholstery or drapery sample with you and the retailer will have suggestions for options on colors. Understand the basic color guidelines - lighter colors make a room look larger, and darker colors seem cozier. Some colors might show dirt less in certain areas.

3. Which cushion is appropriate for the carpet I've chosen? Choose firm, resilient cushion no more than 7/16" thick to absorb the shock of foot traffic. (Lower profile carpet requires an even thinner cushion - 3/8") A thick cushion does not absorb the impact as well, and may break down the carpet in time. Choose the very best cushion you can afford - not the cheapest or softest.

4. What should I know about the installation? Who is to do the work and when? Insist on the use of CRI minimum installation standards, particularly power-stretching. Who will guarantee the installation? Retailer? Or Installer? How long will the installation take? Installation of a houseful of carpet will disrupt the house if several rooms of furniture need to be moved around. Will the installer move the furniture? The homeowner should move all breakables before the installers come. Who will dispose of the old carpet or cut off doors if necessary?

5. Be prepared before you shop - Know the terminology. It is advisable to "do your homework" before shopping for any home furnishing. Use CRI's brochures to learn about basic carpet terminology: fibers (nylon, polyester, polypropylene, wool) and their characteristics, pile types (cut, loop, multi-level loop, and cut and loop), and tufting styles (plush or velvet, Berber, saxony, etc.) Look in magazines for pictures of a "look" you desire - it may be solid color plush, solid color heavily textured, or a small or large pattern.

6. Have a general idea of the measurements you need Measure the square yardage or square footage. Before the order is written, ask the retailer or installer to measure the areas to be carpeted in order to get accurate quantities.

7. Following the Sale Following the decision on a certain carpet, ask for the guarantees or warranties on the carpet, and talk with the retailer so that you understand what the warranty means. A wear warranty is usually against "loss of fiber", which happens very seldom. Wear does not mean packing down or matting. Stain "resistant" does not mean stain "proof".

8. How do I maintain the carpet? Are there specific manufacturer suggestions for professional or do-it-yourself cleaning? Ask for cleaning information.

Finally, write down and keep all the information about the carpet, the cushion, the retailer, and the installer, for future reference.

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